SPAD To Finalise Ride-Sharing Laws By 2017

Ride-sharing firms Uber and GrabCar will soon find their freedom curtailed as the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) will present the proposed regulations to the Cabinet for approval in Parliament.

The tabling of laws governing ride-sharing is expected to be concluded by the first quarter of 2017, and once the amendments are passed, SPAD is expected to regulate the ride-sharing.

Transport Ministry Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai urged SPAD to speed up the amendments of laws to regulate Uber and GrabCar, saying it was a move to provide an equal platform between these services and local taxis.

Uber and Grab must be regulated as there are no laws governing them, he added.

Under Putrajaya’s new policy, ride-sharing drivers would need to be registered as well as obtain a public service vehicle license and accident coverage insurance.

Their cars will also be examined for roadworthiness by Puspakom, the main inspection body for commercial vehicles in the country.

Yet tension still remains especially among taxi drivers who are up in arms with the move as they deem ride-sharing services a threat to their income, while the public and tourists fancy ride-sharing companies for their fixed pricing and service.